Mount Martha: Beach, Nature and History

Mount Martha offers more than a view of the beach: bathing boxes at Mount Martha Beach make a striking feature, while The Briars brings together nature and history. When choosing your holiday rental, it is worth first considering which aspects of the area you want to shape your holiday: time by the water, walks in nature, or a visit to historic gardens and buildings.

Experience nature at The Briars

The Briars is an area in Mount Martha with a nature reserve and wildlife sanctuary. It is home to a 300-metre Wetland Walking Trail Boardwalk. The Wildlife Sanctuary is accessible to people with a range of mobility needs. By factoring the opening hours into your day’s plans, you can make a visit to the Sanctuary a planned part of your time outdoors: it is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. The Visitor Centre is also open daily from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Opening hours may change; check them before your visit.

The Briars Community Forest is open daily. Access may be restricted during severe weather warnings and a Total Fire Ban. The Community Forest can be reached via the Nepean Highway. For a break, The Briars has picnic areas with free barbecues. This means there are options for an outdoor meal as well as paths and natural areas, without having to plan your visit around just one stop.

Historic gardens and current access information

The Briars is home to a historic residence listed by the National Trust, historic gardens and outbuildings, as well as a visitor centre. The Heritage Homestead is closed for restoration work. A guided tour takes you through the garden of the historic Briars Homestead. Check current access information before your visit.

The Balcombe Estuary Boardwalk at The Briars is also currently closed due to storm damage. As this access information may change, check the latest status before visiting. The Eco Living Display Centre is open Fridays from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and on the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm; these hours may also change. The centre is among the areas accessible to people with a range of mobility needs.

Plan your holiday around your interests

The bathing boxes at Mount Martha Beach reflect a different aspect of the area from the nature and history experiences at The Briars. If the beach scenery is what appeals to you most, it can be a helpful guide when looking for a holiday rental. If your interests lie more with the Sanctuary, forest and historic gardens, you can make these experiences the focus of your holiday plans.

Opening hours and access information can make a difference to your daily plans: the Sanctuary and Visitor Centre have set daily hours, while the Eco Living Display Centre is open only on the specified weekdays and Saturdays. When visiting The Briars, it is therefore worth checking the hours and access information for each place you want to visit in advance. This will help you decide whether nature, gardens and history or the beach should be the focus of your stay.

Discover more destinations

If you’d like to discover more destinations: Waratah Bay, Wallan, Tyabb, Rushworth, Dunolly, Morwell, Mitiamo and Alma.

Return to the main travel overview: Victoria.